Welcome! I'm a mom of four, navigating family life in beautiful Folsom, California, and sharing our favorite local spots, events, and family adventures to help other families discover the endless fun our community has to offer.

California State Fair

California State Fair - Sacramento, CA

Our Annual California State Fair Tradition: A Family Guide for 2025

No matter how hot Sacramento gets, our family still heads to the California State Fair at Cal Expo. It's a tradition I've maintained since childhood, and now I'm creating those same memories with my own kids!

New for 2025: Updated Hours

The California State Fair has announced new weekday hours for 2025. Starting this year, the Fair will open at 4 p.m. from Monday through Thursday. Weekend hours remain unchanged, with fairgrounds opening at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday.


The 2025 California State Fair runs from July 11–July 27, featuring returning favorites, new competitions, and free nightly concerts that have become hallmark attractions for our community.

A Rich California Tradition

DID YOU KNOW? Originally established in 1854, the California State Fair celebrates the best our state offers in agriculture, technology, and the diversity of people, traditions, and trends shaping the Golden State's future.


The FOOD!

Honestly, the food is always the best part! There were so many options that our oldest son Jordan actually came to me and said, "I can't choose what I want to eat." (Funny, right?)

I ended up drinking about 10 cups of different types of lemonade throughout the day. The fair features classics like Hot Dog on a Stick corndogs, huge turkey legs ($25), and paper buckets full of silly fries. Each year also brings unique offerings you won't want to miss! Deep fried zucchini, deep fried pork chop on a stick, marzipan cold brew, dole whip, corn dog covered in hot Cheetos dust/crumbs, loaded baked potato with asada ($22)

Family-Friendly Attractions

Between rides, there's so much to explore:

  • Petting Zoo: Always a hit with younger children
  • Bear Cup Esports Tournament: Great for gaming enthusiasts
  • Carnival Games: Classic fair fun for all ages
  • The California Forest Center: This beautiful, shaded area features 40 native species of trees in a relaxing atmosphere. Go early and bring home a seedling to plant as a long-lasting memory!
  • Camp Smokey: This fun, interagency fire prevention program teaches fire safety at home and in the forest. Kids can visit Smokey's cabin, enjoy puppet shows, learn "stop, drop and roll," and safely exit "smoke-filled" rooms to earn a Camp Smokey bandana!
  • Student Showcase: Located in Building 3, this inspiring exhibit displays art entries from children across California (ages 5-8). It's amazing to see what these young artists create – it might even inspire your own child's creativity!

Ticket Information

Tickets Now on Sale! (3/1/2025)

  • Advanced Adult: $16
  • Advanced Child (Ages 5–12): $10
  • Advanced Senior (Ages 62+): $12
  • Child Daily Admission (Ages 4 & under): Free

Money-Saving Tip: Purchase a Fun Pack (formerly Poppy Paks), which includes 4 general admission tickets, 4 monorail/ride tickets, and 1 parking pass. These are only available before the Fair starts!

Carnival Rides

Carnival tickets are $1 each, but for the best value, consider the unlimited ride wristbands:

  • Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays: $39
  • Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays: $44

Tickets are available at all participating Save Mart locations.

Concert Series

The Toyota Concert Series is free with Fair admission! So far, the lineup includes:

  • Ludacris: Opening night, July 11, 2025
  • Dustin Lynch: July 17, 2025


Fair-goers can line up at the back of the stage venue starting at 5 pm for first-come, first-served FREE seating behind the General Admission area (limited to the first 700 guests).

Important Policies

  • Unaccompanied Minors: Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older
  • Clear Bag Policy: In effect throughout the fairgrounds
  • Parking: $15 per day ($5 for motorcycles) - CASH ONLY
  • Cashless Fair: I'm not 100% sure if 2025 will still be cashless for purchases inside the fair

Mom Tips from a Fair Veteran

As a mom of four, here are my insider tips:

  • Stroller/Wagon Rentals: Available just inside the front gate, near Scooter Rentals
  • Mother's Lounges: Two locations for breastfeeding or resting with little ones - in Expo Center 2 and the California Building
  • Lost Children Contact: Cal Expo Police at (916) 263-3050
  • Safety Tip: Write your phone number on your child's arm!
  • Monorail: Perfect for tired feet or fussy kids - takes you around the entire fair
  • Fireworks Viewing: The monorail is the BEST place to see the nightly fireworks at 10 pm! Be on the ride by 9:58 pm for optimal viewing
  • Read to Ride Program: Children in 8th grade or below can earn two free carnival rides by reading two books and submitting a report form to Guest Services

For every two books you read, receive two rides free and a monorail ticket at the California State Fair! A $15.00 value.

The Read to Ride program is open to students from transitional kindergarten (TK) through eighth grade.

Students must read two books, write a summary, then bring the completed form to the California State Fair Guest Services office (located inside the Main Gate) to receive two free rides and one monorail ticket.

Read to Ride redemption valid any day of the Fair. Only one report form per child per day will be accepted.

Click HERE for the form

Restroom Locations

This is crucial parent information! Restrooms are located throughout the fairgrounds at:

  • Tractor Supply Big Barn (North and South)
  • California Building A & B
  • Expo Center (behind Expo Center 4 & below Expo Center 2)
  • Carnival (North)
  • Monorail
  • Main Gate
  • Coca-Cola Promenade
  • Kids Park
  • Save Mart Wine Garden
  • Shopping (between Building C & D)

The California State Fair is an amazing place to create lasting memories with your family! What are your favorite fair traditions? Let me know in the comments below!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. As a mom blogger, I only recommend products and experiences I genuinely love and use with my own family. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

While I've attended the California State Fair for many years, this post is not sponsored by Cal Expo or the California State Fair. All ticket prices, schedules, and information are accurate as of publication date but are subject to change. I recommend checking the official California State Fair website (www.castatefair.org) for the most up-to-date information before planning your visit.

Some photos in this post are from our previous visits to the fair. Our family traditions and experiences are personal, and your experience may differ.

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